JESUS, THE WAY TO A BETTER LIFE
By Sewell Hall
The popular goal of our generation is "the good life." This dream is
not new. It has been the desire of every age - of teachers and philosophers,
of kings and common men. However, to the truly good life, as to every
other good thing, JESUS IS THE WAY.
JESUS CORRECTS MISCONCEPTIONS
The good life is probably summed up best in the word HAPPINESS. Yet,
when we think of the good life, we usually think of material prosperity,
of pleasure and popularity. This is because we suppose that these are
the things which bring happiness. Jesus rejects this supposition. Hear
Him:
"...Take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man's
life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."
(Luke 12:15)
"Woe to you who are full! For you shall hunger. Woe to
you who laugh now! For you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all
men speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets."
(Luke 6:25-26)
Our own personal observations agree that most wealthy, high-living
and famous people are not happy. Yet we continue to seek these things
and often are disappointed when Jesus does not provide them. If Jesus
offered these as the way to a better life, He would be a failure.
JESUS ROOTS OUT THE PROBLEM
God endowed man with the good life in the very beginning of time. But
man lost it when he sinned. With sin came guilt, fear, pain and death.
Sin is still the spoiler. Jesus said:
"For from within, out of the heart of men proceed evil
thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness,
deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
All these evil things come from within and defile a man." (Mark
7:21-23)
Is it not true that most of the unhappiness you have known is traceable
to just such sins as these? It is only in turning from sin that we can
hope to find happiness.
"For he who would love life and see good days, let him
refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile;
let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue
it." (1 Peter 3:10-11)
Only by studying the law of Christ can we recognize sin.
"...Sin is lawlessness." (1 John 3:4)
Only by following the perfect example of Jesus can we avoid sin.
"...Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,
that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was guile
found in His mouth." (1 Peter 2:21-22)
Imagine a life without guilt, without fear, without the anxiety that
always attends a life of sin! Here, indeed, is peace that
passes understanding.
JESUS TEACHES US TO SEEK NEW GOALS
The goal of an unhappy world is earthly treasure. Jesus says:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where
moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay
up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." (Matthew 6:19-20)
Men are eager to receive, but reluctant to give. Jesus says:
"It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts
20:35)
Men consider it a symbol of the good life to be served. Jesus says:
"...Whoever desires to become great among you, let him
be your servant...just as the son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve." (Matthew 20:26-28)
The goals the world sets are goals which many can never achieve. Achievement
does not ensure happiness and those who fail to achieve them are made
even more miserable by their failures.
When our goals are changed, we can be content without those things
the world considers essential; they are no longer the things we are
seeking. Our contentment and happiness come with attaining our new goals,
and success in these is within the reach of all. All can store up treasure
in heaven, all can give, and all can be servants. If there is any doubt
that these do bring happiness, just look at any individual you may know
who is actually practicing them.
JESUS GIVES US WHAT WE DO NOT EXPECT!
Once we learn not to make material things, pleasure, and fame our goals,
Jesus provides us an unexpected portion of these very things! Hear Him:
"Therefore do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?'
or, `What shall we drink?' or, `What shall we wear?' For after all these
things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need
all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-33)
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed
down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom..."
(Luke 6:38)
"For whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11)
HOW DOES JESUS DO IT?
We may never know all the ways by which the Lord fulfills His promises.
But one way is through the sheer wisdom of His instructions. Knowing
man as He does and loving man as He does, He asks of us only those things
that are good for us; and He forbids only those things that are harmful.
Our health is better when we live the pure life that Jesus teaches.
We are better off financially, for we are better workers and we no longer
have to pay the expensive cost of sin. Family life is better as we learn
to think first of others. And regardless of the problems and troubles
we still must face, we face them with Jesus and with the hope of heaven.
